Tell me why I shouldn't vax my dogs

[KaylaBeanie]

I plan on getting a dog of my own within the next few years, and want to be prepared. I don't vax myself (almost a year since my last and I probably won't vax any kids I have, so it got me thinking why I would vax my dog. I know that you can't get them groomed most places without a shot record, but I plan on getting a rescue dog, not some fluffy show dog, and I'm perfectly capable of washing them and trimming their nails myself, you know? What other problems could I run into with a non-vaxed dog.

So, educate me. If you vax, don't vax or selectively vax, tell me why.

[Chloe'sMama]

I don't vaccinate my pups, but here are a few I have run into....

You can't license them without rabies vaccines, if you wanted to do play groups or most dog schools will not allow you without vaccines. Most (all that I have ever contacted) doggy hotels require vaccinations to stay.

Congrats on making the decision and good luck!

We don't vax anymore as my pup had a bad reaction and when I did research I decided against it and that is actually part of the reason I do not vax my daughter.

[oneKnight]

http://leerburg.com/vaccinosis.htm

http://leerburg.com/pup-med.htm



I believe in the sanctity of blood and I believe it applies to all blood.

With the actual disease, the microorganism had to pass through many of the body's natural immune defense systems in the nose, throat, lungs, and digestive tract before it ever gets as far as the bloodstream.
...
By allowing the injection of an attenuated (half-killed) virus or bacteria into the body, we have done something nature would never permit. We have violated the sanctity of the bloodstream. We have tricked the immune system into not mounting an all-out response to a foreign agent.

I've never had a problem, but I don't ship, board or kennel my dog, and I do all my own grooming as well. The only one I would *consider* is rabies if we lived in an area where my dog was more likely to encounter raccoons and similar carriers, but we don't, and my dog is inside with me when those critters are out and about.

If you search this forum you can come up with

rabies vaccine now my dog has epilepsy... please help!

Rabies vaccine reaction..need good thoughts*update#27*,*sad update#36*

Can dogs have a vax reaction?

and others

[KaylaBeanie]

Thank you!

Which vaccines do dogs commonly get? I did a google but I'm sick and the overwhelming medical terminiology is getting to me...I know I can get a straight answer from you ladies without the mumbo jumbo!

How worried should I be over rabies? As in...how common is it? Treatments? I admit I'm clueless. My family has two dogs. The oldest has not been vaxed due to an allergic reaction when he was a puppy, but that was the choice of the vets. The puppy is fully vaxed as far as I know

[oneKnight]

Rabies is common in raccoons, possums, skunks, and the like, so if you had those critters comming up in your yard to steal pet food (like my parent's do), or dig in your trash, or kill your chickens, you would probably want to vax.

However since we don't have that kind of pest problem, AND my dog is indoors 99% of the time that those animals are out and about (evening/night) I don't feel that the risk is high enough to justify the vax.

I don't believe there is a treatment for animals, if the dog shows signs it's put down and sent off for testing - that's why if I thought we were at more of a risk I would get that vax even though I don't get the others. However even if I do vax against it later (if we move to the country for example) I do NOT think the yearly vax is necessary - there are some trains of thought that one is good for life, and of course there is the 3-year vax on the market now too.

[Slingin'Momto4]

I just vaxed my 7 mth old Bichon for Rabies yesterday. (Its the law and we have skunks and the like) I am wavering on the other vaxes and still undecided. We go camping every weekend w/other dogs so that is why I am considering the vaxes. I am considering the DHPP...but still unsure, its such a tough decision

My groomer doesn't ask for a shot record and she knows I am wavering and undecided on vaxes and is great w/it

[Ola_]

Good for you for educating yourself. If you do choose to vax I would absolutely not get the combo vaccs (usually the ones with multiple letters such as DA2PPV or DHPP). Select the individual vaccines you want to give and do them separately, spaced out by a few weeks.

Personally, my 6 year old dog got the 3-year rabies vaccine (same thing as the 1-year rabies, just "rated" differently). She has not had any others since she was a little over a year old (before I knew about vax dangers). My 10 year old dog has not had any vaccines since we adopted him 5 years ago. I'm debating on giving him the 3 year rabies but I'm hoping to either avoid it or get a medical exemption based on his age. I guess this setup puts us in the "selective vax" category. We haven't licensed our dogs with the city because I don't want anyone checking up on their vaccine status, and this has not been an issue so far.

In the time we've had our dogs we've spent time at dog parks (not so much any more), walking nature trails on a regular basis, walking in areas with many other dogs, visiting pet stores. We have not had ANY health problems with our limited vaccines. I think there is the perception that every other dog and public area is just full of diseases waiting to be picked up but we have not found that to be the case. We also feed raw and I do believe that a good quality diet helps to support the immune system.

[Slingin'Momto4]

Originally Posted by Ola_

I think there is the perception that every other dog and public area is just full of diseases waiting to be picked up but we have not found that to be the case. We also feed raw and I do believe that a good quality diet helps to support the immune system.

This is my thought...I know its odd but I am scared of her getting a disease from the campground we go to cause there are LOTS of dogs there...I feel I should keep her at our site but then feel bad because I know she wants to walk around. I am just so torn So, you can do seperate vaxes for each disease such as Parvo, Distemper, etc?

I don't vax my kids.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by Slingin'Momto4

This is my thought...I know its odd but I am scared of her getting a disease from the campground we go to cause there are LOTS of dogs there...I feel I should keep her at our site but then feel bad because I know she wants to walk around. I am just so torn So, you can do seperate vaxes for each disease such as Parvo, Distemper, etc?

Yes, you can get separate vax but not all vets carry them though some may special order them for you. They will no doubt tell you that the combo vax are safe.

I don't see the number of dogs as a problem. When we walk on the nature trails at the lake on weekends we typically encounter at least 20 dogs. Now they may not sniff the other dog depending on how the other dog acts and the situation but clearly there is dog pee/poop in all public areas. Are these other dogs unhealthy?

You should look into the individual vaccines you want to give and find out how they are transmitted and who is at risk, so you can determine which to give. For example, I believe parvo is mainly a risk for young puppies. Has your dog already been vaccinated for these diseases in the past (puppies normally get a whole lot of them)? Do you have reason to believe those vaccines are no longer effective?

[Slingin'Momto4]

Originally Posted by Ola_

Yes, you can get separate vax but not all vets carry them though some may special order them for you. They will no doubt tell you that the combo vax are safe.

I don't see the number of dogs as a problem. When we walk on the nature trails at the lake on weekends we typically encounter at least 20 dogs. Now they may not sniff the other dog depending on how the other dog acts and the situation but clearly there is dog pee/poop in all public areas. Are these other dogs unhealthy?

You should look into the individual vaccines you want to give and find out how they are transmitted and who is at risk, so you can determine which to give. For example, I believe parvo is mainly a risk for young puppies. Has your dog already been vaccinated for these diseases in the past (puppies normally get a whole lot of them)? Do you have reason to believe those vaccines are no longer effective?

No, the other dogs seem healthy too me. Are they only at risk if they are sick? Or is Parvo (for an example) transmitted even if they aren't sick? Thanks for helping me out! My puppy is 7 mths old.

My Puppy has not been vaxed AT ALL except for her rabies, yesterday.(Where we got her from didn't believe in vaxing) We live in MA and I am not sure how prevelant these diseases are here at all. I will research that as well!

This is my first puppy/dog but have 6 kids...lol!

[lizzylou]

If you don't vax your pets, does the vet still see them? I had a cat who was not vaxed, and the vet always gave us a really hard time about seeing him. They seemed to be concerned about their staff's safety as well as county requirements.

[mom0810]

It's kind of important to vax as a puppy, we do at 12 weeks, but then that is it for life. Research has shown that one vaccine as a puppy lasts for the dogs' whole life. So if you are on the fence, ONE vaccine as a baby is more than enough.

As for Rabies, you will probably have to do it every three years. The first shot is a one year, and then after that you can get the 3 year. (they are the exact same vaccine, but that is a whole other story).

If you are clever enough, (and have multiple dogs) you can avoid the rabies vaccine. Some counties allow titers as proof of immunity, too.